Davina Moss

DJ Paulette’s 20 Minute Tea Break with an Ibiza legend

Interview by DJ Paulette


Possibly one of Ibiza’s better kept secrets, Davina Moss has actually been a cornerstone of Ibiza’s underground scene for quite some time. Along with her partner JeanCedric they are responsible for the FAMILY AFFAIRS parties on the island – you can hear their deep, funky and dark tech house sounds blazing from clubs, to villas to beautiful open air locations and beaches. The Family Affairs family and the DABS radio show can also be heard on Thursdays weekly on Ibiza Global Radio. Right, let’s get the tea on…

 

So welcome to DMCWORLD Magazine Davina Moss. I believe I’m interrupting you in your studio right now? What are you cooking up?

Hello!!!! Yes I’m in the studio every day, making some new beats and enjoying being by myself dreaming of people’s reaction while listening to my music…I’m cooking some new tracks around 123 bpm, mainly deep house, a touch of dark but really groovy music…can’t wait to share with all of you!

That sounds like you have a big job ahead of you?  How many releases exactly are you finishing and which labels are they for?

I have about 27 tracks coming out over the next 3 months including my original track and their remixes. They will be released on Hot Trax, Upon You, Pacha Recording, Seamless Recordings, Sin Nomine, Natural Rhythm, Dragsonor Recs, Nutek Ibiza, Cloud Lounge etc. 

Wow! How inspiring is it to have a studio in a potting shed in a beautiful garden in the middle of the stunning Ibiza campo?

It’s really, really inspiring to be in the middle of the nature…firstly I can make as much noise as I want without disturbing anybody!!! Then there is fresh air and absolutely no noise around me at all, so I can get full concentration…and thirdly, when I open the door of my studio for the pre construction of the track, I have a view on this amazing beautiful old tree!! I’m so lucky really…

The last time we met you put me to sleep on a huge bed in your garden just after I’d played my second set (which finished just before sunrise).  Are you always that maternal with your friends?

Ahahaha, yes I am…..If it was me who needed to relax or sleep I hope someone would take care of me, so I think it’s normal to do the same for your friend or anyone who need to….

Your collective is called ‘Family Affairs’  – did you choose the name because you and Jean Cedric are a husband and wife team? Or are there other reasons? 

We chose this name because we are a family, we have a baby boy and both of us are DJs and music producers, so naturally it became a FAMILY AFFAIRS.

Does this have any influence on the DJs you choose to play at your parties?

We choose the DJs based on their skills and music they play…in all our event we really want to provide only quality music…the DJ doesn’t have to be famous but they must be PROFESSIONAL and FRIENDLY sharing their good taste of music with our crew of people…

How is it working in a husband and wife team? I’m interesting in knowing whether Davina Moss is the boss? Who wears the trousers in your work and home life?

Ahhhhh !!!! funny question…..I’m the music producer of the house. I have been making music since more than 16 years…..so naturally I help my husband and my friends producing great tunes. As DJ, we have different tastes, my husband is a really talented DJ and has his own style as much as I do. At home he’s the one to cook because he’s a great cook and me not so much…I spent too many years in my studio eating pasta…!!!! But I’m taking care of our little boy all the time….I make my music in between two diapers and baby’s nap !! And we share the housework. 

You come from Noumea –  the capital of New Caledonia, Nouvelle Caledonie in the South Pacific, a land that James Cook discovered in 1774 on his second voyage. Cook is noted as saying that it ‘Reminded him of Scotland’. And apparently Noumea has the richest diversity in the world per sq km. Is it possible that this background has a bearing on the type of music you play and produce?

Mmmmm not really….In New Caledonia we are into Reggae (which I love ) and of course Zouk ( like every south pacific island )…I have been living and traveling a lot around the world and always brought back home the freshest sounds you could find…coming back home I spread what I learned and discover as new music. New Caledonians are really open and demand fresh new sounds…

You have an amazing history. Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to be Davina Moss?

Well I used to be a sport teacher, fitness instructor and dance choreographer…I have always been into music and rhythm. Also I used to skydive a lot (I have jumped over 400 times…), my dream was to simply jump from any kind of plane anywhere in the world! One day I arrived in San Francisco and met some really cool people making some music in a basement, some psychedelic trance…I was really impressed by what I saw and what I heard. A few months later I decided to make my own music…I was 20 at the time (I’m 36 now!). I have made about 11 albums and more than 300 tracks under different names in the last 16 years!

With all of that life experience which 5 words would you use to describe yourself?

STRONG. INDEPENDENT.  MUMMY. MUSIC PRODUCER.

You’re not just a DJ. As you say, you are also a Music Producer and a teacher of music production for any level including mastering and remixing. When did you get into the technical side? Was it easy? Where do you teach? Can anyone sign on for a Davina Moss music production course? How can they find you?

Yes I’m a music producer of any kind and genre of Electronic music…I make from Psychedelic trance to House music  to Deep house to Techno…I have been playing every where in the world, a  lot of different type of set  and range from 120 bpm to 145…..From these experiences I learned a lot….I do teach, I teach for 3 years in a school in Ibiza but now I open my own and I also give  private classes for more intense training…..Anyone can sign to my class , any level from very beginner to really advanced…I love to teach , pedagogy is my thing …..Always put yourself in the shoes of the other one then you understand their need. You can find me on my Facebook or Soundcloud pages and I’ll be happy to answer to any questions.

You never stop. When you are not DJing and producing, there is your weekly Family Affairs show on Ibiza Global Radio. How long has this been going and what is all about?

It’s been going for about 7 months now. It’s about giving a free mix to everyone who loves my music style, my husband’s or the guest we have. We love having a new guest on that nobody knows, but should be known because their music is so good.

How can we hear Davina Moss online – can you give us your Soundcloud / Mixcloud / Ibiza Global Radio links please?

Here is my Soundcloud : www.soundcloud.com/davina-moss

Mixcloud : www.mixcloud.com/DJDAVINA

You can also hear all the music I released in the past as DAVINA on Beatport and other online stores (just Search for DAVINA). Now for legal reasons I’m using the DAVINA MOSS name and not only DAVINA.

When is the next Family Affairs event on Ibiza and where can we next hear Davina Moss play in Ibiza or in the world at large?

The Next Family Affairs will take place at the end of MAY (in a secret LOCATION), but you can hear me next week at Villa Party “Where Is” or in this new amazing place in Ibiza “ORSO” twice a week which is my new residency for this summer. Also in MEXICO from the beginning of July …and many more top secret locations…

 

Which five tunes are rocking your house right now?

Down On My Knees : AYO

Le Champ des Roses : DANAKIL

Inner Activist : CHRIS CARRIER

House Record : STEVE LAWLER

Suddenly Funk : RENATO COHEN

After so many years away from your homeland, do you consider yourself more Ibicenco than French (Nouvelle Caledonie) or will you always be French first?

I have been living here for about 7 years !! Before that in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Mexico, San Francisco…..I will always consider myself as a French New Caledonian girl though….all my family and friends are there….my heart has always been there and will always be, even if I love Ibiza.

It’s been a real pleasure speaking to you, Davina, I and DMC wish you the best of luck with all of your releases and keep us at the top of your guest lists for your parties over the summer – we love a private campo villa rave here at DMCWORLD!!

Thanks to you dear Paulette. You are one of a kind!

https://www.facebook.com/davina.house